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INTERIM STUDY REPORT
Human Services Committee
Rep. Pam Peterson, Chairperson
Oklahoma House of Representatives
Interim Study I.S. 11-101, Rep. Pam Peterson
October 24, 2011
Reducing domestic violence deaths in Oklahoma
Jeff Smith
Chair of the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board (DVFRB)
District Attorney, District 16
Jeff.Smith@dac.state.ok.us
o The DVFRB has reviewed 341 of 1,007 domestic violence homicide incidents that
occurred from 1998 to 2010.
o 55% of all victims are female and 75% of intimate partner (IP) homicide perpetrators are
male.
o 58% of the homicides were committed with a firearm and 23% of firearm deaths are
committed by people who are federally prohibited from possessing a firearm.
o 33% are witnessed by children.
o There is evidence of prior domestic violence in 77% of IP cases.
o 49% of perpetrators made death threats against the victim prior to the homicide.
o The 2010 recommendations of the DVFRB are included in the attachments at the end of
this report.
Judge Richard Kirby, Associate Judge
Oklahoma County Juvenile Court
Richard.Kirby@oscn.net
o 29% of all deprived petitions in Oklahoma County in 2010-2011 included domestic
violence as an issue.
o DHS often refers victims and perpetrators of domestic violence to programs that are not
certified by the Attorney General’s Office.
o DHS assessments, findings and service plans reflect a lack of understanding of the
dynamics of domestic violence, safety risks, safety planning and referral for appropriate
services. The service plans need to be truly individualized.
o Need mandatory training for workers and supervisors with respect to domestic violence
and the role of child welfare in responding to domestic violence cases.
o Workers need to be able to indentify those victims that can demonstrate that they are
truly ready to take appropriate steps to protect their children.
o Need to involve people with domestic violence expertise on Post-Adjudication Review
Boards.
o Could create Level 4 child welfare specialist positions for highly experienced workers
who could provide consultation on tough cases involving domestic violence.
Candace Blalock
Retired District Judge
o Brings a rural perspective to the discussion.
o There is a serious lack of domestic violence services in certain areas of the state.
o We should require judges with domestic violence docket responsibility to have the
training that the juvenile judges receive.

INTERIM STUDY REPORT
Human Services Committee
Rep. Pam Peterson, Chairperson
Oklahoma House of Representatives
Interim Study I.S. 11-101, Rep. Pam Peterson
October 24, 2011
Reducing domestic violence deaths in Oklahoma
Jeff Smith
Chair of the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board (DVFRB)
District Attorney, District 16
Jeff.Smith@dac.state.ok.us
o The DVFRB has reviewed 341 of 1,007 domestic violence homicide incidents that
occurred from 1998 to 2010.
o 55% of all victims are female and 75% of intimate partner (IP) homicide perpetrators are
male.
o 58% of the homicides were committed with a firearm and 23% of firearm deaths are
committed by people who are federally prohibited from possessing a firearm.
o 33% are witnessed by children.
o There is evidence of prior domestic violence in 77% of IP cases.
o 49% of perpetrators made death threats against the victim prior to the homicide.
o The 2010 recommendations of the DVFRB are included in the attachments at the end of
this report.
Judge Richard Kirby, Associate Judge
Oklahoma County Juvenile Court
Richard.Kirby@oscn.net
o 29% of all deprived petitions in Oklahoma County in 2010-2011 included domestic
violence as an issue.
o DHS often refers victims and perpetrators of domestic violence to programs that are not
certified by the Attorney General’s Office.
o DHS assessments, findings and service plans reflect a lack of understanding of the
dynamics of domestic violence, safety risks, safety planning and referral for appropriate
services. The service plans need to be truly individualized.
o Need mandatory training for workers and supervisors with respect to domestic violence
and the role of child welfare in responding to domestic violence cases.
o Workers need to be able to indentify those victims that can demonstrate that they are
truly ready to take appropriate steps to protect their children.
o Need to involve people with domestic violence expertise on Post-Adjudication Review
Boards.
o Could create Level 4 child welfare specialist positions for highly experienced workers
who could provide consultation on tough cases involving domestic violence.
Candace Blalock
Retired District Judge
o Brings a rural perspective to the discussion.
o There is a serious lack of domestic violence services in certain areas of the state.
o We should require judges with domestic violence docket responsibility to have the
training that the juvenile judges receive.